Method and apparatus for forming paper bags



S. G, YOUNT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER BAGS June 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1946 INVENTOR:

STANLEY 6. You/v7- June 13, 1950 s. e. YOUNT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER BAGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1946 INVENTOR.

JTANLEY G. You/v7:

June 13, 1950 s. G. YOUNT 2,511,031

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER BAGS Filed Aug. 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Jm/vur G. )u/vr Patented June 13, 1950 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORlVHNG PAPER BAGS Stanley G. Yount, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 9, 1946, Serial No. 689,565

3 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of manufacturing paper bags and is particularly adaptable to the production of large circumference, heavy bags suitable for covering items such as divans, mattresses, and arm-chairs, also for lining boxes, cartons, etc. The invention is also applicable to the fabrication of bags of other sizes and is adaptable to the fabrication of either single-walled or multi-walled bags.

A very large gusset type bag best exemplifies the invention as there is a substantial need for such bags, particularly of a construction which can be employed in covering divans, arm-chairs and other similar articles of furniture for shipping and storing, bags for this purpose having been previously made by hand and embodying a different construction than that which characterizes the present invention.

The bags previously made by hand for the purpose of covering divans, chairs and the like have more or less conformed to the general outline of such articles of furniture, being inverted over the same, and are satisfactory except from the standpoint of manufacture, being necessarily made by hand and involving a relatively costly method.

The objects and purposes of the invention will become more apparent when it is considered that the jumbo roll is the largest unit of paper commercially employed for automatic or continuous processing. It has been found by experience to be the largest and heaviest paper roll unit which can be satisfactorily handled by standard equipment. Considering further that the conventional method of fabricating bags is to fold paper longitudinally as it comes from a roll, which reduces the circumference of the bag tube to something less than the width of the paper, depending upon the bag construction, it has never been possible to manufacture the largest bags of the character described above from a single roll for the simple reason that it is not practical to handle such a wide jumbo roll even if it could be produced under known manufacturing methods.

The present application is a continuation in part of co-pending application, Serial No. 535,642, filed May 15, 19%, now matured into Patent No. 2,47%,770 dated June 28, 1949.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved method and means adapted to the making of paper bags from separate rolls of paper for each wall of the bag which is simple, eificient, rapid in execution and economical.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method and means adapted to the making of paper bags from one or more separate rolls of paper for each Wall of the bag which is capable of utilizing machine parts of a type already available for the construction of an apparatus suited to the folding and sealing of tubes for making paper bags.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved method'and. means adapted to the making of paper bags of exceptional circumference by utilizing substantially the full width of one or more separate rolls of paper of maximum practicable width for each side of the bag.

A further object is to provide a new and improved method and means for mechanically forming a continuous tube of paper having substantially as great a circumference in tube form as twice the width of a roll of stock of the maximum width from which paper bags ordinarily can be formed.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved means for forming a paper tube made from sheets of paper from separate rolls, the strips of paper being adapted to be folded in complementary fashion so that the process of attaching them together is simple and can be accomplished by making a minimum number of folds at the side edges. For a single walled bag two rolls of paper are used. For multiwalled bags a pluralit of paper rolls are employed divided into two groups, each group containing as manyr'olls as there are to be plies in the bag.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel method hereinafter described, together with the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of an apparatus by means of which the method may be practiced, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter are more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in part in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic representation of parts of an apparatus comprising a part of the subject matter of the invention and illustrative of an apparatus upon which the novel method may be practiced.

Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the upper strip of paper partially removed.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tube of paper made by the machine taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates a bag which may be formed from a gusset tube made by the process.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic, elevational View of the feed end of a machine set up for making bags of two-ply wall thickness.

Figure 6 is a foreshortened plan view of the machine showing an arrangement utilizing offset rolls for making a tube having a two-ply construction.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a bag tube made according to my invention in which the seams insteadof-being along the center fold of the gusset are located along diametrically opposite edge folds.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional viewof another modified bag tube produced by my invention. in which the seams are midway between the center fold of the gusset and the edge fold.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional-viewpf .a multiwalled bag tube produced by my invention.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9' in which the seams of a double walled bag are distributed at different locations.

One of the chief difliculties in making paper bags of exceptional circumference is. to be-able-to handle rolls of paperstock which have'suflicient width from which toformthe bag. :There are occasions where paper bags of-exceptional circumference are greatly indemand. The-manual operations previously referredto for 'mak ingsuch paper bags are slow, costly and inefiicient and cannot be counted .upon to produce aconsistently good product under all circumstances. Consequently, if large paper bags are to beprovided at a cost which will permit them to be used extensively, some meansmust be provided whereby they can be made economically. Whatever means is selected mustfurthertakeintoconsideration the fact that large bags must usually be made of heavy stock and for many1 purposes must be adapted to utilize twoor .three'plies or walls so that the resulting product will have sufflcient strength. This requires that the-process must be a simple one involving relativelyfew folds and few operations.

To illustrate thezinethod an apparatus has been devised which is capable of performing the method by the use of relatively few rolls and-without the use of numerous-special features which have been incident to processes of asimilar. kind in the past. In one form of the invention shown in the drawings there is illustrated diagrammatically the location of two rolls Ill and l I of paper stock. Although for convenience in illustration two rolls only are shown, itwi'll readily be appreciated that for multiple ply tubes: the paper for each half of the tube maybe taken from separate rolls and brought together in the machine prior to folding, the different rolls being offset the required distance to provide the/necessary staggering of the seams, as will be subsequently described.

Generally stated, themethod'of; this invention contemplates continuously advancing two strips of paper of equal width, one strip f-romeach of two rolls, continuously infolding. a longitudinally extending section of uniform widthadjacent one edge of each strip, continuously infolding a longitudinally extending section 'of v greater width adjacent the opposite edge of each strip, outfolding panels along the inner edges of the'infolded sections of greater width of each strip of paper (the outfolded. panelof one strip beingdisposed adjacent the infolded section of uniform-width of the other strip), then superimposing the two advancing strips of;paper. with their outfoldedpanels facing the infoldedsections ofv uniform width to a only in Figure 2. 7 adapted to form infolded sections l4 and I4 along bring the outfolded panel of each strip into pressure contact with the opposed infolded section of uniform width and bonding the two strips together at such lines of pressure contact with an adhesive, thereby forming a pleated tube which is later cut into open-ended tube portions of de sired length.

In the example chosen for illustration paper is ".drawn continuously from the roll It in the form 10' :side, the deflecting rolls being mounted upon a vertical axis and being shown diagrammatically The deflecting rolls are the longitudinal edges of the sheet.

In order to properly locate and crease the folded over margin portion, there are provided folding guides l5 on'each side which are suit ably supported by convenient means inside the actual margins of the sheet or strip of paper. Curved ends l6 guide the paper into a proper position for completing the fold.

Asthe paper passes 'over the folding guides it is rolled or ironed down by means of rollers or tucker rolls l 1, one located on each side. .A supporting roll l8 holds the paper upwardly against the bottom of the folding guides.

The infolded sections 14 and I4 overlie the top surface of the strip of paper 12. It will be noted that one of the infolded sections such as I4 is of .slightlygreater width than the other infolded section M of uniform width, but the inner edges of the'infolded sections do not contact or overlap. .The extra width of infolded section I4 is to provide for a turned-back or outfolded continuous panel adjacent the inner edge of the infolded section indicated at Hi. It will be noted that the outfolded panel I9 constitutes less than half of the infolded section M. For turning back the edge there is provided a turn-back guide 20 on oneside only of the apparatus, namely, the near side as viewed in Figure 2.

As the folded sheet or strip of paper comes off the guides the folds are pressed firmly together by suitably driven ironing rolls 2| and 22. The folded sheet designated by the reference character l2 then passes under the remaining portion of the machine to a cutter 25. By drawing the turned-back edge i9 between the rolls 2| and 22 a sufficient deflection is made possible to stretch the edge satisfactorily against the turn-back .guide 20.

At the same time as the sheet l2, I2 is being formed a sheet or strip of paper 30 is being continuously led from the roll ll across the top of the machine to an idler roll 3|, reversed in direction by the idler roll and passed downwardly at an angle where infolds 32 and 32' are formed at the margins by folding rolls 33 similar in relative location and function to the rolls l3 previously described. Folding guides 35 perform a function similar to the guides I5 and are similarly provided with curved ends 36.

After the folds 32 have been made. they are pressed downwardly by the rollers 31, one located on each side. A supporting roll 38 similar to the roll I8 is also provided.

In this instance infold 32 is slightly wider than the fold 32' so as to provide enough material for a turned-over portion or outfold 39. It should be noted particularly, however, that the turnedover portion 39 is located upon the opposite side of the machine from the turned-over portion I9. A turn-back guide 40 is utilized for this portion of the operation. Ironing rolls M and s2 press the folds of the sheet together after it passes from the turn guides completing the formation 'J of a sheet 30 provided with continuous infolded sections, one of them having the outfold panel 39.

Immediately following passage of the sheet 38 of folded paper from the ironing rolls adhesive applicators 43, which may be in the form of rolls mounted upon a shaft 44, are located so as to apply adhesive in one case to the outer face of the turned-over portion 39 and in the other case to the inside edge of the fold 32'.

The sheet 30, 30' then passes downwardly around an idler roll 45 which directs it into contact with the folded sheet I2. The arrangement of rolls may be such that the folded sheets 39' and I2 are pressed against each other so that the adhesive applied to the folds of one of them is made to stick to complementary folds of the other. The relationship of the two sheets followin the adhesive or gluing operation is illustrated graphically in Figure 3. Figure 3, however, shows the sheets distended one from the other for the purpose of illustrating the location and character of the folds rather than being pressed tight against each other as would actually be the case immediately after passage of the sheets over the roll 45.

By way of example, a motor Bil is illustrated as having a drive connection 6! to the shaft of the roll 22. Rolls 22 and 2| may. if desired, be geared together by a gear chain 55. A sprocket 5| is shown on the shaft of roll 22 around which is a chain 50 passing also around a sprocket 52 on the shaft 44. A gear chain 53, 54 may interconnect, respectively, shaft 44, the roll GI and the roll 42, so that each of the respective shafts rotate in the proper direction relative to movement of the paper. Final pull rolls 62 and 63 may be connected to the shaft 44 by a chain 64, the rolls being inter-connected by a set of gears 55. Paper then is pushed over a table 65 whereon it is sheared off to size by the cutter 25.

An examination of Figure 3 will reveal the folded sheet 3%! as being located above the folded sheet I2. The infold I4 is shown with the outfolded panel I9 adapted to be pressed against the infold 32 of folded sheet 30. Conversely, the infold I4 of the folded strip or sheet 52 is shown in contact with the outfolded panel 39 of the fold 32. Contact in each case is a face to face contact which makes it possible to apply the adhesive directly to the exposed portions of the folds on one of the sheets and then to press the respective folds of the opposite sheets face to face by a simple pressing operation. By this means a continuous paper tube of substantially maximum width emerges from the operation or process and can be out by the cutter 25 to produce longer or shorter lengths of tubes for bags of any preselected length.

Although the illustration of the method above described contemplates the formation of pleats with the outfolded panels joined to the opposite portion of the tube at approximately the center of the pleat, occasions may arise where it would be undesirable to have this line of junction, frequently called a seam, at the center.

An arrangement of the apparatus making possible the formation of tubes wherein the seams are located elsewhere than at the center fold of the gusset is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. These tubes in addition illustrate the formation of tubes of multi-ply walls. The offsetting of the rolls of paper in Figures 5 and 6 is purely by way of example as it will be understood that offsetting to a different extent of the various rolls may be utilized in order to form tubes wherein the seams are located at various positions along the gusset.

Figure 5 shows the left end portion only of an apparatus similar to that described in connection with Figure 1 wherein two sets of rolls provide paper for the wall of each side of the bag. In Figure 5 a supportin roll I8 is located in the same manner as described in connection with Figure 1 as are also the ironing rolls 2| and 22. The roll of paper In in the example of Figure 5 is augmented by the presence of a second roll of paper III] spaced a short distance from the roll III. A sheet I I2 of paper from the roll I It! passes around the roll I0 joining the sheet I2, and both sheets together are folded by the tucker rolls I3 and I1.

In this instance, however, the roll I0 and III) must be offset with respect to each other as best illustrated in Figure 6. This is necessary in order to provide an exposed portion I I3 of the sheet I I2 and a corresponding exposed portion H4 of the sheet I2. The folds illustrated in Figure 6 may be readily compared with corresponding folds and edges illustrated and identified in Figure 9.

In order to form the opposite side of the bag, the roll II of paper must be augmented by the addition of another roll I I I. A sheet I30 of paper from the roll I I I joins the sheet 30 of paper from the roll II as the sheets pass over the top of the machine to the opposite end where they are folded by the use of the tucker rolls 33 and 31 in conjunction with the folding guides 35 and turnback guide 40 as was described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

In the last instance rolls II and I H must be offset with respect to each other by substantially the same amount as the rolls Ill and II II are offset with respect to each other. In addition to offsetting the rolls of each set, namely, the set consisting of rolls I I and III and the set consisting of rolls m and I Ill, one set must be offset with respect to the other set as is likewise aptly illustrated in Figure 6. The offsetting of the sets of rolls is required in order to provide a wide gusset fold on one side for the rolls of one set and on the other side for the rolls of the other set, the necessity for this being illustrated particularly well in Figure 9.

In the case where a tube is formed of double wall thickness adhesive applicators 43' and 43" must be installed on both sides of the machine mounted upon the shaft 44 so that a strip of adhesive is applied to each ply for causing it to adhere to a corresponding portion of the ply forming the opposite side of the bag. In other respects the machine illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 contains the same essential features as the machine described in Figures 1 and 2. Conventional means of a well-known sort may be used to adjust the rolls to their proper offset position. these means being omitted for the sake of clarity.

By way of example, in Figure 7 there is illustrated a tube comprising single walls I4 and 15 having gussets i5 and H wherein the seam is located at a position remote from center folds I8 of the gussets. The gusset I6 has a seam 19 located near the top; whereas, a seam SI] for the gusset TI is located near the bottom. By forming the gussets in the manner shown in Figure 7, the gussets may be printed upon easily and conveniently in a manner which would not be pos- 'sible if the gussetswere provided with seams near the center fold.

In order, 'howeveruto make a tube of the type shown in Figure '7, the-roll of' paper forming the wall 14 would have to be offset with respect to the roll of paper forming thewall by an amount approaching the full length of the gussets.

Another variation is shown in Figure 8 wherein seam BI and 82 inrespective gussets B3 and 84 are located intermediate center folds 85 and the adjacent corners of walls 89 and 8! respectively.

Figure 9 illustrates a tube similar to the tube of Figure 7 but shows a tube having a double "wall thickness or in other Words a two-ply bag.

As shown, the tube for forming a two-ply bag has outer and inner walls 90 and 9!, respectively, forming one side of' the bag and outer and inner walls 92 and 93, respectively, forming the other side of the bag. The wall or ply 92 has a gusset 94, a portion 95 of which is folded back upon itself for a width almost equal to the initial fold. The wall or ply 93 has a similar gusset 95 likewise with a portion 91 folded back upon itself but terminating along an edge 98 spaced inwardly from an edge 99 of the back folded portion 95. This leaves an exposed margin of the back folded portion 95 to which. glue may be applied.

The wall or ply 90 has one short fold IUD which is adapted to contact the back folded portion 95 and be joined thereto, making a, seam near the edge of the gusset fold. The wall or ply 9| has a longer fold lfil, long enough to reach over the back folded portion 91 and to be attached thereto.

On the opposite side of the tube the outer and inner Walls form outer and inner gussets E62 and [53 but with the overlapping of the folds arranged in slightly different order as is made necessary by the requisite staggering of the rolls of paper which form the bag in order to maintain a gusset uninterrupted by a seam as is illustrated on the right-hand side of the tube.

Figure 10 shows still another form of two-ply tube having outer walls I94, I05, inner walls H33,

IN, and scams 108 and 109 on each side, the outer seam I98 being near a corner and the inner seam near the gusset fold.

It will be furtherappreciated that the location of seams can be modified by using rolls of paper of difierent width should occasion demand. Also, tubes may be made with gusset folds of unequal depth in order to make odd shaped bags by resorting to a similar expedient of using rolls of paper of unequal width. A tube havin perfectly smooth gusset folds uninterrupted by seams may be made following the pattern of Figure 10, if desired, so that the gusset fold on both sides of the bag may be properly printed upon.

After the tube has been formed conforming to any one of the cross-sections shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10, a bag I may be formed by closing one of the ends using a reinforcing strip H6 attached thereto by a line ll! of stitching. Other styles of attachment may, of course, be substitut-ed for the stitching and reinforcing strip as oocasion may suggest. The bag of Figure 4 presumes to use a tube of the cross-section shown in Figure 3.

The virtues of the process and apparatus lie in the simplicity of their arrangement making it possible by simple, rugged means to handle rolls of paper of exceptional width and exceptional weight. Although paper rolls of exceptional weight and width have been emphasized as important in the practice of the invention, it is to be 'appreciated'that occasions may arise where the process and apparatus may 'be equally well suited to light weightpapers or rolls of lesser width.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the'detailsdisclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent methods, processes and apparatus.

The invention having been herein described,

what is claimed and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. *A'Inethod of forming. pleated tubes for paper bags of large size from two continuous rolls of paper of substantially equal width, comprising: continuously advancing a strip of paper from one roll; continuously infolding a longitudinally extending section of uniform width adjacent one edge of the strip; continuously infolding, adjacent the opposite edge of the strip, a longitudinally extending section of greater width than the first mentioned infolded section; continuously outfolding the inner margin of the wider infolded section to form a longitudinally extending panel;

simultaneously and continuously advancing a second strip of paper from a second roll above the first strip of paperzin substantially parallel relationship; continuously infolding' a longitudinally extending section of uniform width on the second strip adjacent the edge above the outfolded panel of the first strip; continuously infolding adjacent the opposite edge of the second strip a longitudinally extending section of greater width than the infolded section formed along its other edge; continuously outfolding the inner margin of the wider infolded section of the second strip to form a longitudinally extending panel above the inner edge portions of the infolded section of uniform width on the first strip; applying adhesive to the outer faces of an outfolded panel and of an inner margin of the infolded section of uniform width of one of said strips while said strip is advancing; continuously superimposing the two advancing strips of paper with their infolded'sections and outfolded panels in collapsed position" overlying their respective strips for bringing the outfolded panel of each strip into pressure contact with the infolded section of uniform width of the other strip to bond the two strips together into a pleated tube; and cutting all sections of the pleated tube thus formed simultaneously and transversely of the tube into open-ended tube portions of desired length.

2. A method of forming pleated tubes for paper bags of large size from two continuous rolls of paper of substantially equal width, comprising; continuously advancing a strip of paper from one roll; continuously lnfolding alongitudinally extending section of uniform width adjacent one edge of the strip; continuously infolding, adjacent the opposite edge of the strip, a longitudinally extending section of greater width than the first mentioned infolded section; continuously outfolding the inner margin of the wider infolded section to form a longitudinally extending panel; simultaneously and continuously advancing a second strip of paper from a second roll above the first strip of paper in substantially parallel relationship and in a direction opposite to the advancement of the first strip; continuously infolding a longitudinally extending section of uniform width on the second strip adjacent the edge above the outfolded panel of the first strip; continuously infolding adjacent the opposite edge of the second strip a longitudinally extending section of greater width than the infolded section formed along its other edge; continuously outfolding the inner margin of the wider infolded section of the second strip to form a longitudinally extending panel above the inner edge portions of the infolded section of uniform width on the first strip; applying adhesive to the outer faces of an outfolded panel and of an inner margin of the infolded section of uniform width of one of said strips while said strip is advancing; reversing the direction of travel of the second strip for advancement in the same direction as the first strip; continuously superimposing the two advancing strips of paper with their infolded sections and outfolded panels in collapsed position overlying their respective strips for bringing the outfolded panel of each strip into pressure contact with the infolded section of uniform width of the other strip to bond the two strips together into a pleated tube; and cutting all sections of the pleated tube thus formed simultaneously and transversely of the tube into openended tube portions of desired length.

3. In a machine for forming a continuous pleated tube from separate strips of paper of virtually equal width for making paper bags of large size, the combination of: a frame; means on the frame for mounting a plurality of rolls of paper of equal width; a guide for infolding a longitudinally extending section of uniform width adjacent one edge of a strip of paper from one roll; an oppositely disposed guide positioned for infolding a longitudinally extending section of greater width than the first mentioned infolded section; a turnback guide for outfolding an inner margin of the infolded section of greater width to provide a panel; a pair of driving rolls positioned on the frame for advancing said strip and for pressing the infolded sections and the outfolded panel into overlying relationship with the strip; a reversing roll for a second strip from a second roll of paper carried by the frame adjacent its other end for reversing the direction of travel of the second strip in a plane parallel to and above the first strip of paper; a guide for infolding a longitudinally extending section of uniform width adjacent the edge of the second strip which overlies the outfolded panel of the first strip; an oppositely disposed guide for infolding a longitudinally extending section of greater width adjacent the other edge of the second strip which overlies the infolded section of uniform width of the first strip; a turnback guide for forming an outfolded panel from the inner margin of the infolded section of greater width of the second strip; a pair of driving rolls for advancing the second strip and for pressing the infolded sections and outfolded panel of the second strip into overlying relationship with the second strip; adhesive applicator means for applying adhesive to the outer faces of an outfolded panel and of an inner margin of the infolded section of uniform width of one of said strips while said strip is advancing; reversing roll means for changing the path of travel of the second strip for advancement in the same direction as the first strip and in close superimposed relationship thereto; a pair of pressing rolls for bringing the outfolded panel of each strip into pressure contact with the infolded section of uniform width of the other strip to bond the two strips together into a pleated tube; and trans-- verse cutting means for cutting said pleated tube into open-ended tube portions of desired length.

STANLEY G. YOUNT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 1 Name Date 256,177 Van Hoesen Apr. 11, 1882 1 269,352 Van Hoesen Dec. 19, 188i?-;-.;.- 326,592 Sawyer Sept. 22, 1885' 1,549,832 Hartman Aug. 18, 1925 

